KKR vs CSK: Do-or-Die Battle for Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 57 is a very important one and goes before the climax of IPL season 2025. Coming under the category of must-win matches for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) if they are to enter the playoffs, it is scheduled to be held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 7. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), already out of the playoffs, will want to spoil things for them and win on a high note.
KKR's Playoff Scenario
KKR do or die match indeed! The team sits at 11 points on the IPL 2025 points table. To qualify for the playoffs, the team must win every game it has left, starting with this crucial fixture against CSK. If KKR wins, the team will get 13 points, mingling with Delhi Capitals for qualification hopes. But if they lose, their campaign will come to an end, making this a win-everything clash.
With Net Run Rate also factoring into the IPL playoff qualification race, KKR will not only want to merely win big. The KKR net run rate is slightly behind the top four, and therefore every over and run counts.
Eden Gardens Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens pitch report calls it ideally-balanced. Batters and bowlers get support out there–and especially so for the spinners in the second phase of the game. The pitch conditions have witnessed more success for teams batting first in the recent past. Gradually, the pitch slows down under the lights.
So, for those looking at the KKR vs CSK pitch report and predictions, expect whichever captain wins the toss to bat first and put up a testing total.
Team News and Predicted Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
- Ajinkya Rahane (C)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Manish Pandey
- Ramandeep Singh
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Sunil Narine
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Sam Curran
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
KKR team news today also suggests no injury concerns, and they are expected to field their strongest XI for this do-or-die encounter.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
- MS Dhoni (C & WK)
- Ayush Mhatre
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Urvil Patel
- Deepak Chahar
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Tushar Deshpande
- Mukesh Choudhary
- Shivam Dube
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Ben Stokes
The CSK playing XI vs KKR will rely heavily on experience. Notably, Vansh Bedi has been ruled out due to injury, and Urvil Patel is expected to fill in.
Head-to-Head Record
The KKR vs CSK head-to-head record is in favor of CSK. Out of the 31 IPL matches played between both the teams, CSK has won 19 times, whereas KKR has won 11, and there has been one abandoned game. With the team already out of the playoffs, this history adds to the psychological advantage for CSK.
KKR vs CSK – Head-to-Head Record
| Total Matches | KKR Wins | CSK Wins | No Result | Dropped |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 11 | 19 | 1 | 5 |
IPL 2025: KKR vs CSK – Match 25 Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 103/9 | 20.0 | |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 107/2 | 10.1 | KKR won by 8 wickets (59 balls remaining) |
Top Performers – Match 25
Kolkata Knight Riders
| Player | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Wickets Taken | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | 44 | 18 | 244.44 | 3 | 3.25 |
| Quinton de Kock | 23 | 16 | 143.75 | - | - |
| Harshit Rana | - | - | - | 2 | 4.00 |
Chennai Super Kings
| Player | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Wickets Taken | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shivam Dube | 31 | 29 | 106.90 | - | - |
| Vijay Shankar | 29 | 21 | 138.09 | - | - |
| Noor Ahmad | - | - | - | 1 | 4.00 |
Eden Gardens – IPL 2025 Venue Stats
| Matches Played | Bat First Wins | Bat Second Wins | Average 1st Innings Score | Highest Total | Lowest Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 1 | 203/5 | 261 | 108 |
Key Players to Watch
For KKR:
- Sunil Narine: All-round brilliance has been key to KKR’s campaign.
- Andre Russell: Capable of changing games in a matter of overs.
- Varun Chakravarthy: Crucial with his spin, especially at Eden Gardens.
For CSK:
- MS Dhoni: Even if not 100% fit, his presence alone boosts CSK’s morale.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Provides balance with bat and ball.
- Ayush Mhatre: The young gun has the chance to shine on a big stage.
Dream11 Prediction
A balanced fantasy team for CSK vs KKR Dream11 prediction:
- Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Batters: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ayush Mhatre
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine (C), Andre Russell, Sam Curran (VC), Ravindra Jadeja
- Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Matheesha Pathirana, Deepak Chahar
Match Prediction
Who will win CSK vs KKR match? Based on their current forms, the specific context of the match, and the fact KKR are playing at home, KKR will have a small advantage going into this match. CSK have nothing to lose, meaning they could become a very dangerous opponent. This match is going to be very close, but KKR should just sneak through, leaving them with a shot of qualifying into the playoffs.
How to Watch
Catch the CSK vs KKR live match on official broadcasters or online platforms. Follow LiveMatches.in for real-time IPL 2025 live score KKR vs CSK, CSK vs KKR highlights, and in-depth analysis.
Conclusion
The KKR vs CSK 2025 match isn’t just an event; it’s a battle which could determine KKR’s fate in IPL 2025. The IPL 2025 KKR match analysis is set up for a battle at Eden Gardens with playoff implications. If you’re wondering what KKR needs to qualify for playoffs, the answer is simple: win and watch the net run rate.
With both tactics and emotions in play, this is going to be a tense experience. Please keep it here, as LiveMatches.in will have all the KKR latest updates IPL 2025 and full details of this blockbuster event.
Recent Highlights
IPL 2025 POINTS TABLE
TEAMS | POINTS |
GT | 16 |
RCB | 16 |
PBKS | 16 |
MI | 14 |
DC | 14 |
KKR | 11 |
LSG | 10 |
SRH | 7 |
RR | 6 |
CSK | 6 |
